Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as the presence of repetitive and restricted behaviors and interests. These core characteristics are present to varying degrees in different people.

The Seaver Autism Center is a fully integrated translational research center dedicated to discovering the biological causes of autism and developing breakthrough treatments. The Center leads progressive research studies while providing comprehensive, personalized care to individuals with ASD. Our mission is to prevent and cure autism by bridging the gap between new discoveries at the basic science level and enhanced clinical care that provides new and improved approaches to improve the lives of people with autism.

Treatment at Mount Sinai

The Clinical Program at the Seaver Center is a comprehensive assessment and treatment program that provides the highest level of patient care supported by cutting-edge research. The clinical program integrates a diverse research portfolio with state-of-the-art clinical care in order to provide services to the community, such as:

Preclinical Research

Preclinical research at the Seaver Autism Center uses recent advances in genetic technology to identify causal genes in autism spectrum disorder and to develop animal models that replicate the human condition. These models allow us to understand the effects of genetic variants on brain function and to determine which molecular signaling pathways are affected in autism spectrum disorder. This information is used to discover

Our Research

Under the direction of Joseph D. Buxbaum, PhD, the Seaver Autism Center works with The Friedman Brain Institute and functions as the core of autism research at Mount Sinai. The center features a multidisciplinary team of experts who use genetics, molecular biology, model systems, neuroimaging, and experimental therapeutics, including behavioral and pharmacological interventions, to understand the causes of autism and related conditions. These studies lead to novel drug targets and better treatments. Learn more about our research at The Friedman Brain Institute